Improvement in covers for vehicle bows and shafts



B. J. WARDEN. (lover for Vehicle Bows and Shafts.

No. 222,553. Patented Dec. 9,1879,

fizvezz tor.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN J. WARDEN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT lN COVERS FOR VEHICLE BOWS AND SHAFTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,553, dated December 9, 1879 application filed October 24, 1879.

To all whom it mag concern is a specification.

My invention relates to coverings for vehiole bows and shafts. Heretofore the bows in the tops of vehicles have been covered with. japanned leather, tanback drill, or muslin by stitching the same to fit the size and shape of the bows, and certain portions of the shafts of vehicles have been covered with like material by either'nailing it to the shaft or stitching, as in the case of the bows. Both of these methods are expensive and tedious, and the work, when finished,-often unsightly; and a "covering for carriage bows and shafts has also been made of gutta-percha or india-rubber in the form ofseamless sleeves; but they are reuired to be formed byspecially-constructed ies or molds.

The object of my invention is to provide a manufactured article which is cheaper and better, and ready to be applied by the carriage-maker without the aid of skilled labor u and'to this end my invention consists in making seamless covers to lit the various sizes of bows and shafts, as hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a skeleton perspective view of a portion of the top of a vehicle, showing'my improved cover on the bows of the same. Fig. 2 is a perspectiv'e'view ot' a part of myimproved bow-cover. .Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the same, showing it applied to a bow, which? is also shown in cross-section. Fig. 4 is a topyiew, showing my improved cover applied to the front end of a shaft; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the material as prepared ready for forming into a bow or shaft cover.

i A represents a portion of the top of a vehifcle, to the bows B of which my improved seamless cover 0 is applied.

D represents a strip of unjapanned leather or other suitable material, beveled on the edges, as shown at cl, Fig. 5, so as to form a lap-joint, E, for uniting the same to form the cover 0. v

F represents the point of the shaft of a vehicle to which my improved cover O is applied, as shown in Fig. 4.

To carry my invention into effect, I take a piece of unjapanned leather, drill, muslin, or paper, D, and, after cutting to the shape and size desired, bevel its edges, and fold around a form so that the beveled edges at will overlap, in order to be firmly united by any waterproof oement that will stand heat, after which the cover is japanned in the usual manner, and is then ready to be drawn over the bow or shaft. The japannin g entirely conceals the joint and makes the cover water-proof, afi'ording more perfect protection to the wood than the best and most expensive sewing.

Instead of makinga bevel-joint, some suitable material might be used to make the surface even before japanning; but the other is preferable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The within-described covering for vehicle bows or shafts, the same consisting of a piece of leather or other material out to the required shape and. size, with its longitudinal edges beveled and overlapping each other, and secured by a water-proof cement, the said covering being afterward'japanned to conceal the joint and impart the desired ornamental ap pearance to the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of October, A. D. 1879.

BENJAMIN JAMES WARDEN.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. J ONES, EDWARD Born. 

